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Dominican Republic. Snorkeling with Humpback Whales on Silver Bank
Swim with humpback whales in the Dominican Republic: 8 days and 7 nights aboard the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II on Silver Bank, March 18–25, 2028, a group of up to 17 with a tour leader. From $5,410 per person; international flights and sanctuary fees are extra.
★ 4.9
·
8 days / 7 nights
·
Active travel
·
Mar 18–25, 2028
8 days / 7 nights
Mar 18–25, 2028
17 persons + tour leader
Comfort ★★★★
Aggressor II yacht
from {formatPrice(tour.price, cur)}
per person
What awaits you
An expedition to the humpback whales of Silver Bank — one of the best places in the world to calmly swim beside whales in the warm Atlantic. Eight days living aboard the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II among mothers with calves, singing males and competitive courtship groups.
🐋
Snorkeling with whales
Gentle swimming beside humpback whales in warm, clear water
🌊
Silver Bank sanctuary
One of the few places in the world where in-water whale encounters are allowed
🛥
Life aboard the yacht
Seven nights aboard the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II with full board
👶
Mothers and calves
Curious young whales often swim in close, studying the people around them
🎶
Whale songs
Underwater you can hear the deep, vibrating songs of the males, carrying for kilometers
💞
Courtship groups
Males competing for a female's attention — a dynamic, thrilling spectacle
🚤
Tender outings
We head out to the whales on small boats several times a day
🌅
Ocean sunsets
Evenings on the upper deck under the open ocean far from shore
📸
Shots of a lifetime
Breaches, tail slaps, whales right at the surface — filming above and below water
👩✈️
Tour leader on the trip
Accompanied by Tour Leader Club throughout the whole expedition
Day-by-Day Programme
We fly into Puerto Plata on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. After passport control, a transfer takes us to Ocean World Marina, about 30 minutes from the airport. Here the expedition yacht Turks & Caicos Aggressor II is waiting. Boarding begins in the afternoon: we settle into our cabins, meet the crew and fellow travelers, and gather for a welcome dinner aboard. In the evening there is an introductory briefing — the crew explains the program and the rules for gentle interaction with the whales. Late at night the yacht heads out to sea and begins the crossing to Silver Bank, one of the most famous places in the world for encounters with humpback whales.
We wake already out on the open ocean and toward morning reach the Silver Bank area. After a late breakfast, the crew prepares the boats and equipment for the first outings to the whales. After lunch we set off on our first search: on small tenders we head out into the ocean, watch whales at the surface and, when possible, slip into the water for gentle snorkeling beside them. Sometimes the whales grow curious themselves and swim in very close — an incredible and moving experience. In the evening we return to the yacht, share impressions over dinner and rest.
Today our first full day of whale watching begins. After breakfast we set off by boat toward where whales have been spotted. Through the day we head out into the ocean several times, watch their behavior at the surface and, when possible, enter the water beside them. We may see whales breach out of the water, slap their tails on the surface or lift their heads above the water to look at us. Sometimes the songs of the males carry underwater — deep, vibrating sounds that travel for kilometers around. In the evening, dinner aboard is followed by a short talk about the life and behavior of humpback whales.
We continue exploring Silver Bank. After breakfast we again head out by boat in search of whales. Every day here is unique — encounters happen on the whales' own terms. Sometimes they appear unexpectedly and let us watch them for a long time. Encounters with mothers and calves are especially moving: young whales are often curious and swim in very close, studying us as attentively as we study them. Back aboard the yacht we rest, and in the evening we gather on the upper deck to see off the sunset and talk over the day.
Another day of the expedition among the whales. After breakfast we head out into the ocean again. Sometimes we get to watch so-called 'courtship groups,' where several males compete for a female's attention — a dynamic and thrilling spectacle. If conditions allow, we again slip into the water to snorkel. Our task is to swim and watch calmly, letting the whales decide for themselves how close they want to come. In the evening, dinner aboard is followed by a slideshow of photos and video and stories from the crew about whale behavior.
The expedition continues, and we are now fully in the rhythm of the ocean: morning outings by boat, watching the whales, swimming beside them and resting on the yacht. Sometimes the whales swim so close that you can make out every detail of their enormous bodies and hear the sound of their breath as they rise to the surface. Such moments stay with you for life. In the evening we again gather on the upper deck to watch the sunset over the ocean and share impressions.
In the morning we have one more chance to spend time in the Silver Bank area and perhaps see the whales one last time. After that the yacht begins its return crossing toward the shores of the Dominican Republic. In the afternoon we arrive at Ocean World Marina. In the evening you can stroll along the marina, drop into one of the restaurants and celebrate the end of the trip — the crew hosts a farewell cocktail at sunset.
In the morning, after a light breakfast, we leave the yacht. After disembarking you can head to the airport or continue your stay in the Dominican Republic — on warm, palm-fringed beaches by a calm ocean.
Tour Leader
Tour Leader Club
Professional guides with years of experience
Accommodation
For all seven nights we live aboard the expedition yacht Turks & Caicos Aggressor II — a comfortable base right in the middle of the ocean, close to the whales.
Accommodation is in cabins with air conditioning and a private bathroom. Aboard there is full board: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, as well as soft drinks, beer and wine. Towels and basic amenities are provided.
If you wish, you can choose an upgraded cabin — Deluxe or Master — for an additional fee. Spacious decks, a cozy salon and an upper deck for watching the sunsets make life aboard as vivid as the whale encounters themselves.
Accommodation is in cabins with air conditioning and a private bathroom. Aboard there is full board: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, as well as soft drinks, beer and wine. Towels and basic amenities are provided.
If you wish, you can choose an upgraded cabin — Deluxe or Master — for an additional fee. Spacious decks, a cozy salon and an upper deck for watching the sunsets make life aboard as vivid as the whale encounters themselves.
Recommended Flights
Arrival in Puerto Plata (POP)
Plan your international flight to arrive at Gregorio Luperón Airport (POP) in Puerto Plata on March 18. After passport control, the group is met by a transfer to Ocean World Marina (about 30 minutes), where the yacht awaits.
Plan your international flight to arrive at Gregorio Luperón Airport (POP) in Puerto Plata on March 18. After passport control, the group is met by a transfer to Ocean World Marina (about 30 minutes), where the yacht awaits.
Departure from Puerto Plata (POP)
Plan your return flight for March 25 or later, after disembarking from the yacht.
Flights are easy to build with a connection through major hubs. If you fly from other cities or by other routes, to join the program you must be in Puerto Plata no later than March 18. Your manager will help you choose convenient flights.
Plan your return flight for March 25 or later, after disembarking from the yacht.
Flights are easy to build with a connection through major hubs. If you fly from other cities or by other routes, to join the program you must be in Puerto Plata no later than March 18. Your manager will help you choose convenient flights.
Programme Cost
Price per person in 1/2 DBL
5410 USD
Surcharge for a Deluxe cabin
$200
Surcharge for a Master cabin
$500
Sanctuary fee
$425/person
Port fee (cash, new bills)
$200/person
What's included
Accommodation aboard the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II, 7 nights
Cabins with air conditioning and a private bathroom
Full board aboard: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks
Soft drinks, beer and wine
Tender outings to watch the whales
Accompaniment by an experienced crew and guides
Lectures, presentations and an evening program
Towels and basic amenities aboard
Airport — marina transfer
A Tour Leader Club tour leader on the trip
Help finding and booking flights
24/7 manager support during the trip
Not included
International flights
Surcharge for a Deluxe cabin $200
Surcharge for a Master cabin $500
Sanctuary fee $425/person
Port fee (cash, new bills) $200/person
Premium alcohol
Crew gratuities
Insurance policy
Equipment rental
Meals not included in the program
Personal expenses
Required Gear
Water gear
- • Snorkeling mask and snorkel
- • Fins
- • A 3 mm wetsuit or rashguard for long swims
- • A quick-dry towel
Clothing and protection
- • Light summer clothing
- • A hat and sunglasses
- • A light windbreaker for boat outings
- • A swimsuit
- • SPF 50+ reef-safe sunscreen
First-aid kit
- • Personal medications
- • Seasickness remedies
- • Antihistamines, remedies for digestive upset
- • Plasters, disinfectants
Tech
- • Underwater camera / GoPro with mounts
- • Batteries and memory cards
- • A power bank and charging cables
- • A dry bag for electronics
Useful Information
Silver Bank
A submerged bank in the Atlantic about 100 km north of the Dominican Republic
Part of a marine sanctuary — one of the few places in the world where in-water whale encounters are allowed
Shallow, warm and clear water, sheltered from ocean swell
Humpback whales
Every winter thousands of humpback whales arrive here from the North Atlantic
The season runs from January to March, when the whales mate and raise their young
March is the peak of the season, the best time for encounters with mothers and calves
Sanctuary rules
Encounters are gentle and calm, on the whales' own terms
You enter the water in small groups, with no chasing or sudden movements
The whale decides how close to come — which makes every encounter special
Weather and water
Warm water year-round, comfortable for long snorkeling sessions
Warm, sunny air; out on the open ocean there can be light swell
Underwater visibility is usually good
A submerged bank in the Atlantic about 100 km north of the Dominican Republic
Part of a marine sanctuary — one of the few places in the world where in-water whale encounters are allowed
Shallow, warm and clear water, sheltered from ocean swell
Humpback whales
Every winter thousands of humpback whales arrive here from the North Atlantic
The season runs from January to March, when the whales mate and raise their young
March is the peak of the season, the best time for encounters with mothers and calves
Sanctuary rules
Encounters are gentle and calm, on the whales' own terms
You enter the water in small groups, with no chasing or sudden movements
The whale decides how close to come — which makes every encounter special
Weather and water
Warm water year-round, comfortable for long snorkeling sessions
Warm, sunny air; out on the open ocean there can be light swell
Underwater visibility is usually good
from 5410 USD / person
★ 4.9
8 days / 7 nights · Mar 18–25, 2028
March 2028
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Dominican Republic. Snorkeling with Humpback Whales on Silver Bank
Mar 18–25, 2028
from 5410 USD
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from 5410 USD / person
Mar 18–25, 2028
